The annual Jackie Bradley Jr thread (2019 Edition)

[redsoxrules]

JBJ has not been this bad for 7 years. Some of these comments are incredibly stupid.

 

Obviously he ain't going to be this bad all year but a player who only shows up for about quarter of the season isnt much value

[notin]

How much more patience do we need? It's been about 7 years already.

 

The thing with Bradley if he continues to hit like this he will be useless in a few years as his speed will decline and with that his defense will take a hit too

 

 

Even if this was true about how “bad” he’s been, why are you worried about what happens “in a few years,” to use your exact words? Bradley is only under contract for ONE more season...

[moonslav59]

Obviously he ain't going to be this bad all year but a player who only shows up for about quarter of the season isnt much value

 

Fake news.

[Jasonbay44]

JBJ has still produced overall, even with only "showing up for a quarter of the season", which is a dumb comment/argument, as even when he is struggling he has always been good defensively. Every season that JBJ has been a full time player, he has posted a positive WAR, even when he hit .198 with a .531 OPS in 127 games in 2014.

 

This year he has been bad, no doubt about that, he has been arguably worst full time player in the league so far this year but hating on previous years is dumb, especially when you are going to make up stats and reasons to hate his play. JBJ was a perfectly acceptable starting CF the last 4 seasons.

[oldtimer]

JBJ has still produced overall, even with only "showing up for a quarter of the season", which is a dumb comment/argument, as even when he is struggling he has always been good defensively. Every season that JBJ has been a full time player, he has posted a positive WAR, even when he hit .198 with a .531 OPS in 127 games in 2014.

 

This year he has been bad, no doubt about that, he has been arguably worst full time player in the league so far this year but hating on previous years is dumb, especially when you are going to make up stats and reasons to hate his play. JBJ was a perfectly acceptable starting CF the last 4 seasons.

 

Not everyone will agree with that.

[Bellhorn04]

Not everyone will agree with that.

 

I certainly agree with it.

[sk7326]

JBJ has still produced overall, even with only "showing up for a quarter of the season", which is a dumb comment/argument, as even when he is struggling he has always been good defensively. Every season that JBJ has been a full time player, he has posted a positive WAR, even when he hit .198 with a .531 OPS in 127 games in 2014.

 

This year he has been bad, no doubt about that, he has been arguably worst full time player in the league so far this year but hating on previous years is dumb, especially when you are going to make up stats and reasons to hate his play. JBJ was a perfectly acceptable starting CF the last 4 seasons.

 

For fangraphs, he has been the league's worst regular by a mile over Travis Shaw, partially because UZR does not like his defense as much as the eye test. (my operating theory has been that Betts has hurt him in the area of defensive measurement)

[Jasonbay44]

Not everyone will agree with that.

There is also people a week into the season who thought Mookie Betts couldn’t handle pressure and was going to have a down year because of the contract drama. People have opinions, they can be dumb, but that’s still their opinion. The numbers say JBJ has had a good career. I’m not sure if it’s the fact people thought JBJ would be an offensive superstar or what, but he’s been hated on way too much. He’s been a solid player, who was a huge contributor on a word series team last season.

[Jasonbay44]

For fangraphs, he has been the league's worst regular by a mile over Travis Shaw, partially because UZR does not like his defense as much as the eye test. (my operating theory has been that Betts has hurt him in the area of defensive measurement)

 

 

He’s been bad this year, like really bad. I’m mainly defending his previous seasons work which people are s***ing on for some reason.

[Bellhorn04]

He's had a pretty good last 3 games, starting with the game-saving catch in Baltimore.

[S5Dewey]

He's had a pretty good last 3 games, starting with the game-saving catch in Baltimore.

 

As long as the team is winning he's going to remain in CF because of his GG defense. True fact.

[moonslav59]

As long as the team is winning he's going to remain in CF because of his GG defense. True fact.

 

That and the fact that we have no other options.

 

Even the idea of moving Chavis to the OF may lose some steam as he slumps.

 

[devildavid]

Why?

 

Because he helps the team win.

[cp176]

As long as the team is winning he's going to remain in CF because of his GG defense. True fact.

 

No question about that. If the rest of the team hits, he will stay in centerfield for us. His weakness at the plate can be absorbed easily - much like using Leon behind the plate. What concerns me a little is that according to what I am reading, the "metrics" don't seem to be to supportive of him being an elite fielder right now. I am fine with what he does in the field personally. You and I are eye test importance kind of guys thus I find it hypocritical that he is still being staunchly defended by the people who have been telling us about how many things we just don't get right. Did you notice where JD was batting yesterday in the order. Third - imagine that. Is it time for us to be schooled again about how this is a horrible place for him to be batting or do we get to read about the order in which these guys hit doesn't really make much difference? I'm with Cora on this one. I like a good one in the 3 spot - arguably our best hitter in this case!

[mvp 78]

He’s been bad this year, like really bad. I’m mainly defending his previous seasons work which people are s***ing on for some reason.

 

He was fine in previous years for sure.

[S5Dewey]

No question about that. If the rest of the team hits, he will stay in centerfield for us. His weakness at the plate can be absorbed easily - much like using Leon behind the plate. What concerns me a little is that according to what I am reading, the "metrics" don't seem to be to supportive of him being an elite fielder right now. I am fine with what he does in the field personally. You and I are eye test importance kind of guys thus I find it hypocritical that he is still being staunchly defended by the people who have been telling us about how many things we just don't get right. Did you notice where JD was batting yesterday in the order. Third - imagine that. Is it time for us to be schooled again about how this is a horrible place for him to be batting or do we get to read about the order in which these guys hit doesn't really make much difference? I'm with Cora on this one. I like a good one in the 3 spot - arguably our best hitter in this case!

 

The big difference between JBJ and your garden variety sub-.200 hitter is that JBJ can transform into a guy who can carry a team offensively, and it can happen at any moment. Ya, it's frustrating to watch what's happening at this moment but "defensive metrics" not withstanding I actually believe that having him in CF increases our chances of winning over having a garden variety CF'er out there.

[notin]

The big difference between JBJ and your garden variety sub-.200 hitter is that JBJ can transform into a guy who can carry a team offensively, and it can happen at any moment. Ya, it's frustrating to watch what's happening at this moment but "defensive metrics" not withstanding I actually believe that having him in CF increases our chances of winning over having a garden variety CF'er out there.

 

 

The problem actully is that when Bradley hits THIS poorly, he falls into a territory where there are plenty of other CFs who can field but not hit. What always helped Bradley before and made him special was he could field and would occasionally hit. But right now he’s a poor man’s Damon Buford.

 

And then there is the question of his abilities being overkill. Does having Betts in RF suppress him in CF?

[Bellhorn04]

The last 2 games Bradley has 2 hits and 2 walks. I know I'm a JBJ Pollyanna, but I try to find encouragement in such things.

[Bellhorn04]

And then there is the question of his abilities being overkill. Does having Betts in RF suppress him in CF?

 

That's just looking for questions if you ask me. How can it be a problem to have elite fielders in both center and right?

[OH FOY]

The last 2 games Bradley has 2 hits and 2 walks. I know I'm a JBJ Pollyanna, but I try to find encouragement in such things.

 

That's how it starts. Simple things, usually does it. Work the Pitchers, get a count that you like, be smart, know the situation, and just try to make good contact. Hitting for these guys starts above the shoulders. Don't worry about launch angle. You have enough to worry about in a at bat.

Study Pitchers more between at bats, Pitchers and Catchers give away a lot of tendencies. That you can use.

Work the Pitcher also doesn't mean if he is constantly throwing 1st Pitch strikes, be ready for it. Might be the best pitch in the at bat. Study, watch, learn.

Edited May 12, 2019 by OH FOY!

[devildavid]

The problem actully is that when Bradley hits THIS poorly, he falls into a territory where there are plenty of other CFs who can field but not hit. What always helped Bradley before and made him special was he could field and would occasionally hit. But right now he’s a poor man’s Damon Buford.

 

And then there is the question of his abilities being overkill. Does having Betts in RF suppress him in CF?

 

JBJ is a much better fielder than Damon Buford ever was.

[S5Dewey]

The problem actully is that when Bradley hits THIS poorly, he falls into a territory where there are plenty of other CFs who can field but not hit. What always helped Bradley before and made him special was he could field and would occasionally hit. But right now he’s a poor man’s Damon Buford.

 

And then there is the question of his abilities being overkill. Does having Betts in RF suppress him in CF?

 

What's helped him before is that when he starts to hit Fred Lynn becomes a poor man's JBJ. That's why his hot streaks are worth waiting for.

 

As to the overkill, as my mom used to say when she took an extra coat with her, "I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it."

[OH FOY]

JBJ is a much better fielder than Damon Buford ever was.

 

Agree, Buford had a very weak arm, because of that never played CF, or very rarely.

Edited May 12, 2019 by OH FOY!

[jad]

What's helped him before is that when he starts to hit Fred Lynn becomes a poor man's JBJ. That's why his hot streaks are worth waiting for.

 

As to the overkill, as my mom used to say when she took an extra coat with her, "I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it."

 

Ha! Fred Lynn, on his worst day, was not a poor man's JBJ on his best.

[S5Dewey]

Ha! Fred Lynn, on his worst day, was not a poor man's JBJ on his best.

 

The longer it goes the better they get.

 

Although I will confess to a bit of hyperbole there. :-)

Edited May 12, 2019 by S5Dewey

[moonslav59]

The last 2 games Bradley has 2 hits and 2 walks. I know I'm a JBJ Pollyanna, but I try to find encouragement in such things.

 

He has a .320 OBP since May 5th (6 games).

 

It's that damn .200 SLG that's keeping him down.

 

Time for a dinger, today!

[oldtimer]

The last 2 games Bradley has 2 hits and 2 walks. I know I'm a JBJ Pollyanna, but I try to find encouragement in such things.

 

Just watching him isn't that encouraging. He appears lost up at the plate, swinging out of the zone and missing on many swings. He hasn't shown much yet, but we can hope more is coming. I doubt we try and replace him this year. Maybe give him more rest.

[dgalehouse]

Let's continue to take Jackie's temperature every day . It might help .

[notin]

JBJ is a much better fielder than Damon Buford ever was.

 

And Buford never had an OPS under .500...

[notin]

Agree, Buford had a very weak arm, because of that never played CF, or very rarely.

 

 

Poor man’s Darren Lewis?

 

Poor man’s Juan Lagares?

 

Poor man’s Craig Gentry?

 

Your choice...